Results from Thinking Outside the Box
In business, having a vision is not just a “nice-to-have”; it’s the key quality that sets exceptional leaders apart. Leaders like Oprah Winfrey, Jeff Bezos, Arianna Huffington, and Howard Schultz. These forerunning leaders don’t just see into the future -- they initiate it. That’s a distinctive power coming from what I call your “Inner Visionary”.
I consider one’s Inner Visionary trait to be so crucial to successful business leadership that I made it Chapter One in my recently launched new book, "Best of the Best - Lead Boldly, Scale Rapidly, Create Your Legacy.”
Unleashing Your Inner Visionary
Your Inner Visionary combines imagination, wisdom, and creativity, which motivates you to:
go beyond the status quo,
make bold yet thoughtful decisions,
and inspires others to join your journey.
It’s the most powerful thing that drives your personal power — not your job title, but the confidence, clarity, and self-mastery you bring to your leadership.
Why Leaders Lose Thier Vision
Many gifted business leaders get caught up in their daily grind. They are what I call “busy being busy,” but aren't necessarily productive or focused on growth. It's common for stress, constant firefighting, and short-term thinking to pull them away from the bigger picture. Often, this happens when uncertainty weighs heavily on their minds — and let's face it, uncertainty can be really uncomfortable.
The truth is, managing a business is like riding a roller coaster in the dark -- you don’t know what's coming next. The Visionary leaders I encounter at Slater Success accept that uncertainty is part of the game. Undeterred, they keep moving forward, making the best decisions they can in the moment, and never losing momentum even when the ride gets bumpy.
Clearing the Path for Your Vision
To find clarity, Inner Visionaries should look beyond the daily grind. Step back, ask tough questions, and face what might be sacrificed by remaining in “safe mode.”
I advise my clients to evaluate whether they’ve lost sight of their bigger goals, whether they’re avoiding decisions that could drive growth, and whether fears are keeping them stuck. For myself and my clients, I encourage taking a few hours or a half-day each quarter to step back from the daily routine and look at the big picture of your business. If you have been a follower of the blog, you will notice I often reference some type of stepping away every quarter, presented in different ways.
Also, visionary leaders don’t just leap blindly — they blend big-picture thinking with action. That means identify the one thing you can do differently today that will reduce busywork and help you make more progress toward your future.
The Tortoise Plus The Hair Approach
Some leaders are “slow movers” [the tortoise], delaying change until circumstances force rushed -- and often costly -- decisions. Others move too quickly [the hare], making hasty calls without proper consideration. The best leaders find a balance between the steady patience of the tortoise and the readiness to act of the hare.
For example, there is the Slater Success case of a client whose partners resisted hiring despite clear signs of growth. I suggested they analyze their data to show how a new hire would benefit their growth path, which turned their hesitation into action. They avoided further crises and started new investment discussions.
The takeaway: Discernment plus Time Action wins the race.
Four Steps to Unleash Your Inner Visionary
Detach from “How It’s Always Been” - Stop managing your business only based on the present. Plan with your future in mind. Recognize what’s working, what isn’t, and where the gaps are. Be open to updating outdated systems, challenging assumptions, and thinking in new ways.
Envision Your Future -- Then Build It - Go beyond just profit goals. Consider your ideal lifestyle, legacy, and the impact you want to have. Ask yourself: Where will I be in 3, 5, or 10 years? What will my company look like? What difference will I make? This clarity will help you align your business strategy with your personal goals.
Set Specific Non-Negotiable Goals - Vague goals rarely motivate action. Instead, clearly define what you want — down to specific numbers, timelines with deadlines, and tangible details. Write these down and treat them as unbreakable “laws” for your business and your life.
Balance Risk and Control - Understand that both action and inaction carry risks. Make decisions confidently, guided by data and intuition. Consult trusted advisors when necessary, but commit to moving forward after completing your due diligence.
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Final Thoughts on Becoming the Leader Who Makes the Future Happen
Unleashing your Inner Visionary means becoming a leader who isn’t just a doer but a creator. This shift frees you from reactive leadership and positions you to build the future you envision — one that’s both profitable and personally fulfilling.
As Kevin Wolf puts it:
The bottom line: Visionary leadership is about seeing possibilities where others see uncertainty, making bold yet grounded decisions, and staying relentlessly focused on your long-term horizon. When you pair that vision with strategic implementation, you don’t just ride the roller coaster — you design the track.